Myopia Management Starts with an Eye Exam in Calgary
Regular comprehensive eye exams for your child at all stages of their development is extremely important to ensure a child’s vision will develop as it should and to diagnose any eye conditions that may be affecting your child. There are many eye conditions, such as strabismus and amblyopia that can be corrected easily if caught early but can do irreversible damage that will affect a child into adulthood if left undiagnosed and untreated for too long. However, one of the leading causes of ocular disease in adults that continues to progress is myopia or nearsightedness, a type of prescription that causes blurred distance vision.
Myopia Control Treatment Options:
At Woodbine Optometry, we understand the growing concern around childhood myopia. Left unchecked, progressive myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Fortunately, there are proven treatments that can help slow its progression.
We offer a range of myopia control strategies tailored to each child’s age, prescription, and lifestyle:
- Atropine Eye Drops: Low-dose atropine (typically 0.01%–0.05%) is a medicated eye drop used at bedtime to slow the progression of myopia in children. It’s well tolerated and does not affect day-to-day vision or reading ability. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure effectiveness and safety.
-
MiSight® 1 Day Contact Lenses: MiSight lenses are specially designed daily disposable soft contact lenses approved by Health Canada and the FDA for myopia control. They correct vision while simultaneously slowing eye growth. Studies have shown up to a 59% reduction in myopia progression with consistent use.
-
Specialty Glasses for Myopia Control: Innovative spectacle lenses like Zeiss MyoCare and Hoya MiyoSmartare specifically designed to slow down eye growth in children with myopia. These lenses correct vision while incorporating defocus zones that signal the eye to slow its elongation. Studies show approximately a 60% reduction in myopia progression and up to 85% reduction in progression with the Zeiss Myocare S lens for children 10 years old and older.
-
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): Ortho-K lenses are rigid gas-permeable lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. They provide clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. This method not only corrects vision temporarily but also has been shown to slow the progression of myopia.
-
Lifestyle & Environmental Changes: Studies show that spending more time outdoors, at least 2 hours per day, and limiting prolonged near work (like screen time and reading) can significantly reduce the risk of myopia progression. We provide personalized lifestyle guidance as part of every myopia control plan.
Is My Child a Candidate for Myopia Control?
If your child’s prescription is changing rapidly or if you have a family history of high myopia, they may be a good candidate. We begin with a comprehensive eye exam and myopia risk assessment, then discuss the most suitable treatment options for your child’s age, habits, and prescription.
Myopia or Nearsightedness Increases Risk of Ocular Diseases
- Cataracts: The rate of progression of myopia has been linked to the development of cataracts. The higher the level of myopia in a child, the faster the rate cataracts can develop when they get older.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is when the eye develops an unusually high pressure, where this pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Studies have shown that nearsighted people have a 2-3x greater risk at Glaucoma.
- Detached Retina: Levels of myopia also have a correlation to detached retinas. A detached retina is when the retina pulls away from the eyes tissue, often resulting in permanent vision loss.
Book a Myopia Control Assessment
The earlier we begin, the more effective treatment can be. Contact Woodbine Optometry at 403-640-0606 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and take the first step in protecting your child’s lifelong vision.